Sleeping Beauty

This was the 7th Panto produced by Centre Stage Youth Theatre in Langholm and once again it was an excellent production. It seems every time I visit this group they raise the bar that bit more from the previous production. It is an inevitability with Youth Groups that there is a turnover of talent with some moving away from the area and others moving on for other reasons. I was aware of this within this group and wondered how they would fill the gaps, but I needn't have worried as the cast in this show were all excellent from the very little fairies to the more mature characters.

Over the years I have seen the members of this enthusiastic company develop their stage prescence and abilities and I think that this has been the best yet.

No show can be put on without dedicated back room staff and this performace was enhanced by the set, scenery, costumes and sound and lighting.

We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, and it was brought to life for us by the well balanced cast and chorus. The chorus were very good in their numbers and the choreography was well executed with some deft footwork.

The minor principals all acted and sang their parts well and with confidence.

Michelle Sterling who played the Fairy Queen was super with the right amount of gush and was contrasted by Esther Wilkes who was excellent as Carabosse the Bad Fairy. She gave us the right amount of evil, (Oh No she Didn't, Oh Yes She Did) and got the rightfull comeuppance as she deserved.

Bryony Graham as Queen Sybil was very good and her hen pecked husband King Septimus , was suitably under the thumb. I have watched Bryony develop over the last few years from a shy wee lassie to someone who on the stage tonight gave a very comfortable , confident performance. Keep it up.

The compulsory comedy duo of Barney, the Jester, played by Hazel Jeffrey and Nanny Nora, Les Murray had me smiling whenever they came on stage. They rose to the occasion and their ad libs with the audience brought plenty of laughs. Les is a stalwart of the company and his experience of doing the "dame" was evident in his stage action and the comfortable way he played the part for laughs. Hazel by comparison has only acted for a few years but you would think she has tread the boards all her life. They both got the audience, especially the children involved. Well done you two and thanks for the mention!! I particularly liked Nanny Nora's creations and I take my hat off to the Wardrobe Mistress,

The "usual" leading lady in this company has moved on to university and as I said earlier I wondered how they would fill her shoes. The answer is with a Princess Aurora played by Beth Smith. She has an excellent singing voice and she moved about the stage with an experience that belies her age. She was comfortable playing against Prince Michael played by Glen Cavers and they made a magical couple. This young man amazes me every time I see him. He has a talent that would not be out of place in a West End Show.

Once again a triumph for the best pantomime in Langholm. Thanks you for a wonderful nights entertainment.

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